WellesleyWeston Magazine

WINTER 2015-2016

Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.

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Page 167 of 211

The Instant Gratification Reality
Today's kids are growing up in an era of instant gratification. They
don't have to wait to have their pictures developed. They don't have to
wait for their favorite TV show to come on once a week. They don't
even have to wait for the home phone to ring. Because it doesn't. At
least not for them.
Thanks to technology, everything is at their fingertips, so patience
isn't a virtue many children are very familiar with. But when it comes
to the holidays, kids can't fast-forward the calendar, which is a good
thing. "Giving kids an opportunity to look forward to something can
be very beneficial," adds Goodman. So when your kids are asking for
that special something, make them wait until the holidays. If they
really want it, they won't forget about it, and if they get it, they'll cher-
ish it that much more.
"When little kids walk into a store, developmentally they don't yet
have that filter that enables them to distinguish one thing from
another. Everything is so glittery and shiny and they want it all," says
Goodman. Helping them select a few choice items and setting them
aside helps kids appreciate those items so much more. It also teaches
them that good things really do come to those who wait — not so
much being rewarded for their patience, but the feeling of looking for-
ward to something and having it happen.
The Joy of Giving
Apart from getting gifts, kids can experience the joy of
giving at a very early age — whether it's making some-
thing special for a family member or pooling their
pennies for something store bought. Encouraging
your children to give something to a friend or family
member — even a drawing — can be a great way to
instill a sense of giving early on. One mother of five
says, "We don't spend a ton on our kids, so their expec-
tations are modest. But some years we just expect to
deal with a disappointed face or two and we let them
feel the disappointment — until they see a member of
our family open up a gift from them, which they love.
Having each child buy for one sibling as a Secret Santa
really helps them feel the spirit of the season."
family matters
"kids can experience the joy of giving"
Ways to Give Back
n
SERVE a meal at a homeless shelter
n
PARTICIPATE in the St. John Christmas Wish Program and provide cloth-
ing and a special Christmas wish gift to families in need
n
GIVE food donations for family holiday dinners
n
WRAP presents for an organization that gives out toys to kids in foster care
n
SHOVEL an elderly person's driveway
n
DONATE to Toys for Tots
n
SPONSOR a family during the holidays
n
GIVE to the Salvation Army ringers and let your kids put the money in
n
DONATE your old coats to shelters (many local organizations run drives)
n
LEND your voice to a choir or go caroling
n
JOIN an orchestra or a band and play in a holiday concert
n
ATTEND the Teddy Bear Tea at the Four Seasons (and donate a teddy
bear to a child)
n
DONATE to a charity of your choice
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